Daily GK Update: 12th February 2023

 National & International Appointments

1. Nikos Christodoulides elected as next President of Cyprus

• The former Foreign Minister of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides has been elected as the country's new president.
• He defeated his rival Andreas Mavroyiannis.
• He won nearly 52 percent of the votes, and his rival Mavroyiannis won only 48 percent.
  He was expelled from the ruling DISY party after announcing his candidacy and ran as an independent.
• He was appointed as the government's spokesman in 2014 and foreign minister in 2018.
• Cyprus Capital: Nicosia; Currency: Euro

 National & International Appointments

2. President appoints Ramesh Bais as the new Governor of Maharashtra

• The President of India, Droupadi Murmu has appointed Ramesh Bais as the new governor of Maharashtra.
• He has replaced Bhagat Singh Koshyari, who resigned from his post.
• Other appointments (Governor):
  • Arunachal Pradesh: Lt. General Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik (Retired)
  • Sikkim: Lakshman Prasad Acharya
  • Jharkhand: C.P. Radhakrishnan
  • HP: Shiv Pratap Shukla
  • Assam: Gulab Chand Kataria
  • Andhra Pradesh: Justice (Retd.) S. Abdul Nazeer
  • Ladakh: Brigadier (Dr.) B.D. Mishra

 Summits & Conferences

3. ASEAN Digital Ministers meeting approves India-ASEAN Digital Work Plan 2023

• The third edition of the ASEAN Digital Ministers meeting approved the India-ASEAN Digital Work Plan 2023 in New Delhi.
• The theme of the meeting: Synergy Towards a Sustainable Digital Future
• Aim: To strengthen India-ASEAN relations in the field of Information and Communication Technologies.
• The work plan includes capacity building and knowledge sharing in emerging areas in the field of Information and Communication Technologies such as AI in Cyber Security. 

 State Affairs

4. Telangana Govt to enact Clinical Establishment Act

• Telangana Finance Minister, Harish Rao has informed, that the state government is planning to enact the Clinical Establishment Act.
• Reason: To regulate the private hospitals in state
• Concern: Related to the private hospitals over irregularities and imposing hefty charges for treatment
• Aim: To improve facilities and provide corporate healthcare for the poor through government hospitals
• The State government was establishing a government medical college in each district.

 Sports

5. 5th Khelo India Youth Games concluded in Bhopal

• The fifth Khelo India Youth Games was concluded at the Upper Lake in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
• Maharashtra has topped the medals tally by winning 154 medals (53 gold, 54 silver, and 47 bronze).
• While Haryana placed second with a total of 116 medals, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
• The 5th KIYG -2023 was hosted in the eight towns of MP - Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Maheshwar, Balaghat, Mandla, Jabalpur, and Gwalior.
• Union Sports Minister: Anurag Singh Thakur

 Obituaries

6. Legendary American pop composer Burt Bacharach passes away

• Legendary American pop composer, songwriter, and pianist, Burt Bacharach passed away at the age of 94 in Los Angeles, California, the United States.
• He has won various awards including eight Grammys and three Oscars, two Golden Globes, and a lifetime achievement prize.
• He wrote more than 500 songs from the late 1950s to the 1980s.
• His greatest creations include melodies like 'I’ll Never Fall in Love Again,' 'I Say a Little Prayer' and 'Walk on By,' 'Alfie'.

 Summits & Conferences

7. G20 EMPOWER group meeting held in Agra

• The G20 EMPOWER meeting is being organized in Agra, Uttar Pradesh from 11th to 12th February 2023.
• Theme: Empowering Women to Lead across Sectors: Role of Digital Skilling and Future Skills
• Focus: To shift from women’s development to women-led development
• It was attended by Smriti Zubin Irani (Minister for Women and Child Welfare).
• She also highlighted the government's steps on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and efforts for Women's empowerment.

 Agreement

8. Air India signs agreement with Airbus, Boeing

• Air India has signed agreements with Airbus SE and Boeing Co. for the largest purchase of jetliners in commercial aviation history.
• Aim: To reinvent itself with a fuel-efficient fleet that can take on local low-cost rivals and powerful Gulf airlines like Emirates.
• The airline and the two plane makers have agreed on the broad strokes of the agreement.
• Airbus is in line to receive 250 orders (approx) and is made up of 210 aircraft from the A320 single-aisle.

 Defense

9. Indian Navy launched Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge

• The Indian Navy’s Captain, Prashant Saxena AWPS (Mbi) has launched the Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge, Yard 125 (LSAM 15).
• It was launched at M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd in Thane.
• It is equipped with auxiliary systems developed by indigenous manufacturers.
• The Barge has been constructed with a service life of 30 years.
• This Barge will help Indian Navy to fulfill its operational commitments by easing transportation and embarkation.

 National & International Organizations

10. India Jumps to 55th place in ICAO Aviation Safety Oversight Ranking

• According to the DGCA, India's aviation safety oversight ranking has jumped to 55th position from 112th place in the country's score under the ICAO's coordinated validation mission.
• Under the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) Continuous Monitoring Approach, an ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission was conducted in India in November 2022.
• USOAP is based on eight critical elements of a safety oversight system and is measured by a set of protocol questions.